Camouflage and Concealment
To introduce the day, we will discuss the importance of camouflage and concealment in relation to nature. There will be 40-50 items placed in an area of woodland which don`t belong there! In teams, the children will trying to find all these items without telling there opponents where the items are hidden!!! After lunch, we have a selection of camouflage clothing for everyone to dress up in and full camo face paints (optional choice) to disguise themselves putting into practice everything they discovered during the morning. Then it`s off to a secret location to play Man Hunt!
Tracking & Habitat
What exactly is tracking? It has been described as "The science of observing tracks, trails and signs and the interpretation and understanding of the natural elements, patterns and spoor, created by a subject having crossed across terrain." It is the subsequent interpretation and hypothesis that allow trackers to follow, identify and predict a route of a subject - be it human, animal, vessel or vehicle.
The skill of tracking is still used throughout the world. Rescue services rely on human tracking skills to locate missing persons or animals. Tracking requires attention to detail and not pre conceived ideas and thoughts, but a systematic and problematic approach to the trail or route.
We will be looking at trails and habitat and if we are lucky enough to find any impressions in the soil, we will make plaster casts of the prints for everyone to take home.
Come with your magnifying glass and be Sherlock Holmes of the woods!
Shelter building & Knots
Shelter is necessary to give shade, to repel wind, rain and to keep in the warmth. The primary aim of any shelter is to protect us from environmental conditions that threaten our well-being. This day will be spent learning how to choose a shelter site; the resources needed; the potential hazzards and building the ideal safe, natural debris shelter. We will also be looking at man-made shelters and putting up tarpaulines and hammocks whilst learning some very useful knots! A great day of den building!
`Armageddon` - map reading, orienteering & survival skills
We must retreat to the hills and find a safe place to build our camp! In teams, the children will be dropped off at 3 separate locations around the wood - each team given the task of working together to read their maps to orienteer their way across the "safe zone" in the wood - certain areas are "contaminated" so are no go areas!
When they get to the safe zone, they are to purify some water to drink, make their shelter out of whatever they can find, and light their fire to make a hot drink. Lots of skills to learn and fun along the journey.
Each of these four days will develop:
- Team Building
- Empathy
- Communication
- Observation Skills
and of course, cover many areas of the curriculum.
The day is for up to 30 children plus required support staff from 9.30am to 3.30pm. Please bring packed lunches and drinking water, hot drinks will be provided. We ask that everyone comes dressed for the woods whatever the weather and be prepared for some physical woodland activity!
Our fee for the day is £600 for up to 30 children, additional children are charged at £20 per child.
